Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly agree with Deputy Quinlivan that I would like to see progress in this area. I have met with IDA Ireland and with ConnectIreland. I have had a very long and good meeting with ConnectIreland. I would really like to see an end point to this in trying to determine what the final costs are and to move on to the review. I agree with the Deputy that if there is the possibility of more job creation and if somebody feels that they have a contribution to make on regional jobs, then let us look as soon as we can at how the programme has worked to see what is the precise mechanism we could consider going forward.

I am equally keen and I hope that arbitration or mediation can be agreed by both sides so we can get to an end point on the issue between IDA Ireland and Succeed in Ireland, so we can examine this type of initiative and look to the future with regard to the kind of structure that will work. I have no doubt there were many positives. We must welcome anybody who can create the extra jobs but we must get the precise structure right going forward. It is hypothetical until the costs are clear in the current situation. We need to review the project and I am always conscious that it is public money. I assure the Deputy that I have not shut the door on it at all. I have met with both sides, had a discussion and tried to get some movement forward, which is what I would really like to see as soon as possible.